Vatican City: US president Donald Trump has earned the ire of Pope Leo XIV yet again, even as a US delegation prepares to meet an Iranian team to end the West Asia crisis.
The Pope, who has consistently opposed the six-week conflict and condemned Trump on multiple occasions has now suggested that Jesus Christ does not support him.
“God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” Pope Leo stated, as reported by Hindustan Times.
This came after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire arrangement that has already encountered difficulties following Israel’s increase in airstrikes on what it referred to as Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
Without specifying a particular government, the Pope stated: “Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
He had earlier issued more severe criticisms regarding the Middle Eastern conflict, which seemed to more directly address the Republican president. On Tuesday, he had labeled the conflict as an “unjust war” that is “not resolving anything.”
Even as US vice president J D Vance reached Islamabad for the peace talks, Trump did not give up sabre rattling, warning of striking Iran and getting the Strait of Hormuz opened by force.
Even Vance cautioned Iran against attempting to “play us” as he endeavors to conclude a conflict he has, with some reluctance, endorsed.
“We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s gonna be positive. We’ll, of course, see,” he told journalists before boarding Air Force Two.
Relations between Washington and Tehran continue to remain strained despite the two-week ceasefire announcement. Iranian leaders have also maintained a hardline stance, saying that the country would not now to US pressure.